Jack White to write score for The Lone Ranger film

Edward Scissorhands of rock to provide music for latest Johnny Depp blockbuster

FOIRMER White Stripes frontman Jack White is to write, produce and perform the soundtrack for the much-anticipated new film version of The Lone Ranger, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and starring Johnny Depp as Tonto.

White released his first solo album, Blunderbuss, to near universal approval this week. Now Variety has revealed that he has been brought on board to provide the music for the movie version of the 1950s TV western.

Bruckheimer told the magazine: "Jack's an amazing songwriter with a unique style. We're thrilled to hear his fresh take on the William Tell Overture."

He said the idea to hire White came from director Gore Verbinski and Depp, who worked together on the Pirates of the Caribbean films and animated adventure Rango. They were "thrilled" that White was on board, he added. "We're all very excited to have him on board."

It will be White's first full film score, although he wrote and performed Another Way to Die with Alicia Keys, which was the theme tune to the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.

It is somehow fitting that the enigmatic White should work on a project involving Depp. The musician has a passing resemblence to the actor and is often described as the 'Edward Scissorhands of rock', a reference to the character Depp made famous in the early 90s.

Filming on the Lone Ranger film has now begun in New Mexico and the movie is scheduled for release next May. The project was first mooted back in 2010 and has a long and troubled history. Last year it was even reported that Disney had pulled the plug on the movie over concerns about rising costs.